Foster Care & Adpotion Program Staff

Patty McCall: Ongoing Program Manager

I was born in Oregon and moved to Arizona with my family in 1976. I and have stayed here every since. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Arizona State University with related studies in Sociology and Spanish. I began working in the field of social work while going to school doing volunteer work for the The Center Against Sexual Abuse. I then went on to work in the behavioral health system for Adults for Maricopa County and also worked part time in a domestic violence shelter. In 1991 I went to work for as an ongoing case manager for what is now The Department of Child Safety. I then became an investigations case manager and later became an investigations supervisor. In 2003 I became a kinship placement and in 2004 we adopted our oldest son. In 2007 his biological sibling was placed with us and then Adopted our Youngest son in 2009. Through this process I became very passionate about the role of resource parents. In July I decided to pursue this interest and came on board as a licensing specialist. I am enjoying job and have a tremendous respect for those who open their homes up for children in need. During my free time I enjoy being with my husband, two son’s and our two rescue dogs. I enjoy jogging, hiking, Swimming and Yoga.

I was born and raised in Independence Kansas and I am still a country girl at heart! I obtained my bachelors of Social Work from USC in 1999 and my Masters of Education from NAU in 2010. I proudly served in the United States Navy Reserves from 2000-2008. I began my professional career in 1999 as a Parent Aid & Family Builders Case Manager and later became a DD Support Coordinator for West Side Social Services in Glendale. In 2001, I began working with at risk pre-adjudicated youth as a Crisis Prevention Specialist for the JAG Center as well as a Child and Family Team Coordinator. In 2003, I accepted my first position as a Foster Care & Adoptions Specialist. My husband and I became licensed foster parents in 2005 and certified to adopt in 2006. We have 7 wonderful children and 4 amazing grandchildren. I believe that every child deserves to feel valued, loved and safe. My passion for working with youth and creating permanency and stability for families eventually brought me to Family Support Resources in 2013. I am excited to be a part of the FSR family and look forward to many more years of working as part of this wonderful team.

LaTrisha Nelson: Foster Care & Adoptions Licensing Specialist

I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. I am a proud mother of a teenager who will graduate this year
and two pre-teens. I always knew that I had a calling for helping others, but I didn’t know what field to
begin my career in. I decided to attend a trade school and obtained my Medical Assistant certificate in
2001. After working with patients for a while, I still didn’t feel complete working in the medical field. I
took a break from school until I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I decided to go back to college and obtained my associates degree from University of Phoenix in 2011. I began working as a parent aide a year after receiving my degree. I enjoyed working with bio parent’s, foster parents, and of course the children. I returned to college and received a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development in 2015. Towards the end of earning my Bachelor’s degree, I decided that I wanted to work from home and opened up a licensed childcare in my home. I enjoyed working from home and loved being able to spend more time with my children; however I missed working in the social service field. I feel grateful to be able to fulfill my calling by working as a Foster Care Licensing Specialist at FSR!

Tisha Neptune: Foster Care & Adoptions Licensing Specialist

I was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas; survivor of a dysfunctional upbringing. I have three adult children – ages 27, 25, and 22, three grandchildren – 9, 7, and 5, all, of which, are the focus and love of my life. My childhood was challenging and overcame comparable obstacles that foster children face every day. At the age of 32, single and with three young children, started my academia career in 2003 at Butler County Community College in Kansas – focused studies were in Law, Business, and Psychology. I transferred to Wichita State University achieving my Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Psychology. Continuing on and received my Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice – focusing on Juvenile Justice. I have professionally worked in the social services field for roughly 15 years in diverse areas.

I relocated to the Phoenix area in 2015, to begin my life as an empty nester in a warmer climate, explore new and exciting interests, and embrace the diverse and fascinating experiences Phoenix has to offer. Hobbies include; swimming, yoga, family, friends, singing, sports, social events, and my job! I am extremely honored to now work with FSR providing services to children and families in the foster care and adoption system. My aspiration is to positively impact as many children and families as well as the community in all capacities to assist with locating and monitoring safe, loving, and supportive home environments that is embedded in my heart.

“Whatever you would have your children become, strive to exhibit in your own lives and conversations”. Lydia Signourey – (1791-1865)

Shannon Muhammad: Foster Care and Adoption Licensing Specialist

I grew up in the city of Avon (Stratford-Upon-Avon) known as the Heart of England. I am a seasoned professional with over 20 years of Social Service experience. I began my professional career in 1999 working as a mentor at Family Promise, a shelter for displaced women and children. I continued to become an Investigator for DCS after finding my calling in becoming a child and family advocate, I accepted the position as a Foster Care Licensing Specialist and fell in love with dynamics of Family Support Resources. I attended Community College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas and obtained my Bachelors of Science in Social Work, I continued my education in Arizona obtaining my Bachelors of Arts in Early Childhood Education/ Early Childhood Special Education at ASU with Concentration Specializations/Community and Social Development. I am divorced with 3 children ages 23,19,15 and I love where I am at this point in my life.

Mary Pease-Foster: Care & Adoptions Specialist

I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and moved to extremely hot Mesa, Arizona in 1987. I graduated with my degree in Social Work from ASU in 1993, and unlike my coworker Jessica McCowan, I’m not a huge Sun Devils fan. I am married and have 3 adult children and one teenager who still lives at home. I have worked in Child Welfare for the past 15 years. Five of those years I worked for a Mentoring Agency and for three years I assisted youth as they transitioned to their adult years. The remaining seven years I worked as a Foster Care Specialist at various agencies within the Valley. I enjoy going to the movies with my husband, baking, biking and sewing. I also enjoy gardening and reading but I don’t do those as often as I could or should. But of all the things I could do, my greatest joy is spending time with my grandson, Nolan, who is currently 20 months old. Although I am new to FSR, I am not new to Foster Care and I look forward to serving the foster families at FSR and help them succeed at supporting the children of Arizona as they walk through the, often challenging, foster care system.

I was born in California but consider myself a child of the Valley of the Sun. Upon finishing community college and high school in 2013, I chose to attend the University of Arizona to obtain my Bachelors of Arts in Psychology with minors in nutrition and physiology and graduated in 2017. I became interested in working with families and children as I began to understand the importance of how a healthy family structure influences each individual’s personal growth.

I’ve mentored at-risk high school teen moms in 2017 and worked with elders with dementia in 2016-2017, during both I realized I loved working with people from various backgrounds. Living in a home with children in foster care constantly filtering through, my passion for foster care grew. I began interning at Family Support Resources alongside the wonderful and attentive staff during my last semester of university and fell in love with the close-knit environment. This agency goes above and beyond for the foster families and works relentlessly to advocate for the children. I was offered a full time position as a licensing specialist and intake coordinator after I graduated from the University of Arizona and am excited to learn as much as possible about what it means to mend and aid a family unit and allow the children placed to prosper in a safe environment. In my free time, I enjoy exploring Arizona’s natural wonders, hiking, doing yoga, attending community events, painting, and blogging about lessons in holistic wellness.

Adriane Carpenter: Foster Care & Adoptions Licensing Specialist

Hello there! I was born and raised right here in the Valley of the Sun. My husband and I become licensed foster parents in 2015. We are currently the parents of 6 children (Biological, Adopted & Foster) and look forward to sharing our home and family to many more children in need.

I graduated from Arizona State University majoring in Social Work with a minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice. I have worked hands on with children/families for all of my adult life and believe every child needs and deserves a safe and loving forever. I am grateful to be a part of the FSR family!